Mary Roan
Mary Janice Morrissey Roan was born on the family farm near Weller, Monroe County, Iowa on December 23, 1932. She was the third of six children born to John and Monica (Barron) Morrissey. She attended country school and graduated as salutatorian from Lovilia High School in 1950.
Mary was employed at the Iowa Veterans Hospital in Knoxville. Mary met her future husband, Jim Roan, at Creighton University’s 1953 homecoming dance. This fateful event was a blind date arranged by her cousin, Maureen Sullivan. Mary and Jim were married on July 30, 1955 at St Peter’s in Lovilia, Iowa. Mary worked at the Veterans Hospital in Iowa City while Jim attended Iowa Law School. Mary and Jim moved to Tama-Toledo in 1958 where they lived until her death on May 2, 2025.
Mary is survived by Jim, her husband of 69 years, and her six children: John (Sandy), Paul (Kathy), Pat, Margaret (Tom) Scharnweber, Ann (Peter) Galanis, and Laura; nine grand-children: David (Kaitlyn) Roan, James (Alex) Roan, Mark Roan, Chris Siamanis, Joe (Erin) Scharnweber, Laurel (Zach) Morris, Mary Margaret Galanis (Matt Kulling), George Galanis (Allison Dial), John Disbro; and eight great-grandchildren: Michael, Natalie, Smith, Madeline, Allison, Penny, Chloe, and Liam. She is also survived by her sister, Geri Clark, sister-in-law Alverta Morrissey, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, her grand-daughter Stella Rose Galanis, brothers Jimmy (Ann), Jack, sisters Margy and Kay (Pat) McGinn, and brother-in-law Bob Clark.
Mary loved newspapers and current events, a good bargain, and a game of bridge. She also cherished coffee with her friends, especially the birthday club, and traveling with family. For many years, she delivered library books and administered Holy Communion to the homebound and to nursing home residents. Mary was deeply connected to her community and a great supporter of South Tama schools. She attended hundreds of school arts programs and for years volunteered as a reading tutor. Mary was an active member of St. Patrick Church of Tama-Toledo for 67 years.
The family would like to thank Mary's caretaker Zara Pippel and Tama County Health Service.
A Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 900 Park Street, Tama, Iowa from 9-11 AM. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. Mary’s family encourages all to wear vibrant happy colors. Memorials to the Wieting Theatre Guild or STC Scholarship Fund.
Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.